Dr. Toriola’s research focuses on characterizing the molecular basis and determinants of mammographic breast density that are targetable, especially in premenopausal women, and to translate study findings to breast cancer prevention, through clinical trials. He is the PI on an NIH/NCI funded phase III clinical trial investigating the effect of RANKL inhibition on mammographic breast density and breast tissue/blood markers in high-risk premenopausal women with dense breasts (R37CA235602).

In addition, he conducts molecular epidemiologic studies on gastrointestinal cancers (colorectal and pancreatic cancers), evaluating the use of biomarkers to investigate the associations of energetics, hormones and inflammation with cancer risk/mortality. He is especially interested in the interplay between inflammation and insulin resistance in colorectal and pancreatic cancer risk/mortality and the translational importance.